Physician Assistant Salary in Burlington, VT: $168,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Burlington, VT earns a median $168,990/year (≈ $81.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $167,401 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.3% above the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Burlington, VT, can expect a median annual salary of $168,990 in 2026, which reflects a significant 20.37% increase over the national median of $140,391. This competitive pay range varies from $113,146 at the 10th percentile to $225,434 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market for PAs in this region. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures underscore the economic strength of Burlington's job market. Due to the diverse options between W-2 employment in hospital systems and 1099 arrangements in private surgical practices, the physician assistant landscape here is both varied and lucrative, with opportunities across multiple specialties, further inflating the potential earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,146 | $54.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,055 | $68.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,990 | $81.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,563 | $82.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,434 | $108.38 |
Median Salary Position
20.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,288 (2026 est.). At $168,990, the local median is 20.37% above the national median of $140,391.
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At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be above the median
How Burlington Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Burlington median: $168,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $145,305 | +16.30% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +20.37% more |
Physician Assistants in Burlington, VT earn a median of $168,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.37% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 16.30% above the Vermont state average of $145,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,990 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $167,401 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,570
2025 BLS Actual
$163,560
2026 Current Est.
$168,990
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,601 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 40.3% from $116,570 (2019) to $163,560 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,031 (49.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $113,146 – $142,055 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,055 – $168,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,990 – $171,563 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,563 – $225,434 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Burlington
The local market demonstrates resilience with approximately 200 physician assistants employed in Burlington. However, the cost-of-living index of 100.949 suggests that while salaries are robust, living expenses are slightly above the national average, affecting overall purchasing power. Among employers, surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, tend to offer the highest compensation for PAs, influenced by factors like first-assist case volume and call coverage. This divergence in pay between specialties often translates to a wider income gap, with emergency departments and urgent care chains following closely. To maximize earnings, PAs should consider pursuing credentials through the NCCPA or specializing in high-demand areas, as well as negotiating compensation packages that reflect their skills and experience.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $163,560 for physician assistantsin the Burlington metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov